"
"What people?" demanded Lord Fawn.
"My dear fellow, that is a question that cannot be answered. You know that
I am the last man to interfere if I didn't think it my duty as a friend.
You were engaged to her?"--Lord Fawn only frowned. "If so," continued the
late cabinet minister, "and if you have broken it off, you ought to give
your reasons. She has a right to demand as much as that."
On the next morning, Friday, there came to him the note which Lady
Glencora had recommended Lizzie to write. It was very short. "Had you not
better come and see me? You can hardly think that things should be left as
they are now. L. E.--Hertford Street, Thursday." He had hoped--he had
ventured to hope--that things might be left, and that they would arrange
themselves; that he could throw aside his engagement without further
trouble, and that the subject would drop. But it was not so. His enemy,
Frank Greystock, had demanded from him a "written explanation" of his
conduct. Mr. Camperdown had deserted him. Lady Glencora Palliser, with
whom he had not the honour of any intimate acquaintance, had taken upon
herself to give him advice. Lord Mount Thistle had found fault with him.
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